System for playing games through a communication device

ABSTRACT

A game system for playing games by employing a portable communication device capable of interfacing with a game server so that all functions necessary for playing the game may be conducted via the portable communication device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed generally to a system for playing games such as lottery type games, and more particularly to a system for playing such games through a communication device in which the player communicates with a sponsor of the games or a party licensed by the sponsor of the games to pay and receive games through the communication device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The gaming industry has attracted a significant number of players in the United States and other countries of the world. Such games include casino type games played on video terminals, typically in a casino or similar enclosed environment. Other types of games include lottery games in which a player purchases a lottery ticket from a lottery sponsor such as a National or State Lottery Commission.

[0003] More recently efforts have been made to bring the gaming industry to the Internet so that a player may conveniently play a game on a personal computer. For example, Yacenda, U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,446, discloses a system and method for operating an online state lottery game in which the player operates a player terminal which may be a personal computer or a lottery specific terminal.

[0004] The player terminal is used by the player to purchase lottery tickets and to provide player information which enables the lottery sponsor to verify that the player is authorized to play the lottery game. A game server is provided to verify the player information as well as to provide the lottery ticket to the player and verify winning tickets based on ticket information. There is also provided a banking or accounting function to enable the player to pay for games from a designated account and to have winnings credited to the same account.

[0005] The system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,446 provides advantages over conventional gaming systems. The system is generally easy to operate, can be used with conventional computers and enables the player to play lottery games within the confines of one's home.

[0006] Despite the advantages of systems such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,446, the system still provides significant constraints on where and how the player can access the lottery games. Specifically, the player must have access to a personal computer in order to initiate the game playing system which may not always be available. In addition, such systems are limited to online lottery games sponsored by a select group of sponsors such as a State Lottery Commission.

[0007] It would therefore be a significant advance in the art if a system could be developed for playing games which may be accessed from virtually any location and which may be used to play all types of games including casino type games, lottery games and the like.

[0008] It would be a further significant advance in the art to provide a system by which access to games is made through a portable communication device which may be easily accessed and preferably carried by the player at all times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is generally directed to a gaming system which employs a readily accessible easy to operate, portable communication device which enables the player to play the game including all the information for the player to complete the game. As a result of such a system, playing of the game is facilitated by the communication device so that games may be freely accessed by the player from any location.

[0010] In a preferred form of the present invention, the communication device is a wireless communication device, most preferably selected from a mobile telephone, a laptop notebook, a tablet computer and a personal digital assistant.

[0011] In a particular aspect of the invention, there is provided a game system comprising:

[0012] a) a portable communication device programmed for interfacing with a game server via a global computer network to enable a player to remotely obtain and pay for games provided by the game server;

[0013] b) a game server operatively in communication with the portable communication device through the global computer network to verify that the player is an authorized player and to provide the game to the player once payment has been made; and

[0014] c) a global computer network enabling the communication device to access the game server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention as broadly disclosed in the application.

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a game system for one embodiment of the present invention employing a communication device for playing games;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a game server connected to the communication device for playing a game in accordance with the present invention; and

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention is generally directed to a game system employing a portable communication device which enables the player to interface through a variety of communication methods with a sponsor of the game or third party thereof (e.g. licensee) to complete at least one game including the determination of whether a prize has been won. The communication device is any portable device or method which enables the player to communicate with the game sponsor such as a lottery sponsor to obtain and pay for a game. Suitable examples of communication devices include, for example, mobile phones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDA), wireless laptop computers or notebooks, and the like. While a preferred embodiment of the game system will be described as being played over the Internet, it should be noted that the game may be played through dedicated private networks including, but not limited to, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), e.g. personal digital assistant, interactive television, and the like.

[0020] The games that may be played in accordance with the present invention include all games which can be transmitted from a server computer of the game sponsor or third party thereof, including but not limited to, casino type games (e.g. poker, slots, blackjack), lottery type games, virtual scratch-off games, bingo and the like.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, an overall view of the game system 10 is shown in FIG. 1, wherein there is provided a plurality of game or communication devices 12 a-12 d. The communication devices 12 a-12 d may include any existing and future commercially available electronic devices that may perform a communication function to facilitate playing of a game as described in detail herein. The communication devices 12 a-12 d may be in the form of interactive voice response devices 12 a (i.e., fixed telephones), mobile telephones 12 b, personal digital assistants (PDA) 12 c with wireless communication capability and similar personal data transmission devices. It is understood that the personal digital assistant can be substituted by other devices with wireless capability including, but not limited to, laptop computers, electronic notebooks, tablet computers, personal computers and the like which are suitably equipped with a wireless network device adapted for communicating in an wireless environment such as a wireless local area network 26.

[0022] Optionally, the game system 10 may further include communication devices in the form of retailer game machines 12 d which may be used in particular for installation in traditional scratch-off lottery game vendor locations for public use through existing retailer network systems. Each of the communication devices 12 a-12 d includes a display for implementing the game play and a network device for facilitating data communications. The network device can be wired in the case of an IVR device 12 a or can be wireless in the case of a mobile telephone 12 b or a personal digital assistant 12 c each ultimately transmitting data over a global computer network 14 such as the Internet.

[0023] The communication devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d are connected over a data communication link 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, and 16 d, respectively, and thus to a centrally located game server 18 preferably in the form of a high performance computer with high processing speeds and large memory capacity. A suitable example of a game server is the GAME GATEWAY SYSTEM™ marketed by Netgame Factory of Stockholm, Sweden. Each of the communication devices 12 a, 12 b, 12 c and 12 d, respectively, may further include intermediate communication links for connection to a global computer network 14 (i.e., the Internet). For example, the IVR device 12 a is connected to the global computer network 14 via an external IVR system 20; the mobile telephone 12 b is connected to the global computer network 14 via a mobile operator network 22 and a gateway server 24; the PDA 12 c is connected to the global computer network 14 via a wireless local area network 26; and the retailer game machines 12 d are connected directly to the game server 18 through an private dedicated network 28.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the game server 18 may be connected to a bank network 30 for communicating with a bank server 32 for purposes of verifying transactions, withdrawing money for game charges and/or depositing money for distributing prizes for winning game transactions.

[0025] The communication devices 12 a, 12 b and 12 c each interface with the global computer network 14 to engage the game server 18 which provides the necessary functions for verifying that the player is an authorized player, and to provide the game to the player. The player will pay for the game through any one of a number of possible billing systems including traditional billing through the mail, through a third party such as a mobile phone service provider or through a bank server 32 operatively connected to the game server 18 as more fully described hereinafter.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device as exemplified previously and generally identified by the numeral 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 44, data memory 46 (e.g., random access memory and/or read only memory), one or more input/output (I/O) devices 48 (e.g., display monitor, keyboard, mouse, trackball, and touchscreen). The communication device 12 further includes program software 50 for enabling the player to communicate with the game server 18 which may be programmed to process game transactions for any type of digital communication environment including, but not limited to, short message service (SMS), multimedia message service (MMS), wireless application protocol (WAP), Java, Web access, and interactive voice response (IVR). For example, a Web browser interface may be used to facilitate communication with the game server 18 over the global computer network 14 (e.g., the Internet or the World Wide Web) and display the data on the I/O device 48 such as a display monitor. The global computer network 14 enables the communication device 12 to transmit data to the game server 18 and receive data from the game server 18 via hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) for communications relaying data in hypertext markup language (HTML). Alternatively, the data may be in the form suitable for transmission through the mobile operator network 22 using appropriate protocols capable of carrying wireless markup language (WML) data for mobile communication devices 12 b (i.e., cellular telephones). In addition, specific games may be downloaded in Java to the communication device 12 from the game server 18.

[0027] The game server 18 which includes a combination of one or more serves, includes a verification unit 34, a data processor or central processing unit (CPU) 36 programmed with a software 40 for hosting a plurality of games and a memory device 42 (e.g., RAM and/or ROM), and a database 38. The software 40 may include programs that provide the player with one or more game choices, record and display the results of the game, determine whether a prize has been won and the amount of the prize, credit and/or debit the player's account, process and report game transactions, provide customer support and perform internal audits. The game server 18 supports a virtual private network (VPN) over the global computer network 14 wherein an encrypted communication environment is established to ensure security and prevent data tampering or interception.

[0028] After the player has accessed the game server 18 through the communication device 12, the software 40 in the game server 18 transmits data to the communication device 12 which requests the player to register, if a first time player, or to identify the player through other means such as mobile telephone account and the like. To register, the player supplies responses to queries for personal information, e.g, name, residence address, email address, credit card number and the like. Typically, the player can respond to the queries using a keyboard, mouse and/or trackball. Once the player inputs the information, the player is prompted to select a username and password for access. The game server 18 stores the username and password for subsequent visits by the player for verification.

[0029] For returning players, the verification unit 34 functions to verify that the player requesting to play the game is an authorized player based on information received from the player (i.e., username and password). The verification unit 34 of the game server 18 compares established criteria with player information and determines if the player is authorized. Alternatively, the verification can be made by simply determining the account information through third party verification as will be described hereinafter.

[0030] If authorized, prior to start of play, the game server 18 provides the player with the rules, regulations, terms, and conditions of playing the game, including, but not limited to, details on how fees for playing are handled, e.g., by debiting from a credit card account, by charging an account associated with the use of the communication device such as a mobile telephone account, and the like. The player can indicate that the terms and rules have been accepted by clicking on an appropriate button, for example. If the player decides not to abide by the rules, conditions and terms of play, then the software 40 ends.

[0031] Once the player consents to the conditions of play, the player will request one or more games from a menu of games available. Once the games are selected, but prior to transmission of the games, a payment function will be initiated to bill the player for the games. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, once such payment or billing system employs the bank server 32 operatively connected to the game server 18 via the CPU 36 over the bank network 30. The bank server 32 may access any type of account for use in purchasing the games which may include credit card accounts, bank accounts and the like. The bank server 32 may credit the account for winning game transactions and debit the account for purchasing games. The winning game transactions are preferably carried out directly though the bank server 32, especially for larger amounts, the player being identified through a bank account number, credit card number or personal identification number (PIN), for example.

[0032] Once the purchase has been confirmed, the game or games which are stored in the database 38 are transmitted by the CPU 36 to the communication device 12 via the global computer network 14.

[0033] At the conclusion of the game play, winning transactions can be determined instantaneously. The game server 18 determines the amount of a prize and records the identification of the winning player. Prize amounts are stored in the database 38, e.g., in a player's account, which can be subsequently used to offset future game charges. Alternatively or in addition, a check can be issued to the player in the amount of the prize for delivery by mail or pick up at a local participating retailer. In the alternative, the prize amount may be directly deposited into the player's bank account, for example.

[0034] The employment of the portable, preferably hand holdable communication device enables the player to access a game system in which a wide variety of games are available from any location without having to have access to fixed and/or bulky equipment such as a designated terminal.

[0035] In a further aspect of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a system in which the communication device is connected to a third party server 52. The third party server 52 may provide all of the functions necessary for the communication device 12 to request, receive and pay for games but the server is operated by a third party such as a casino, a private company under license from the gaming sponsor, a mobile phone service provider and the like. Thus, the third party server 52 can verify that a player is authorized to play the game, obtain payment for games requested, issue prizes for winning transactions, and authorize the game server 18 to transmit the requested games to the communication device 12. The third party server 52 is connected to the game server 18 providing the information by the game sponsor necessary, for example, to verify that the game (e.g. a lottery game) is a winning or losing game and the like.

[0036] It will be understood that the manner in which the communication device 12 communicates with the game server 18 may vary and maybe include the global communications network (i.e., Internet) for one or more functions such as player registration and/or payment. By way of example, a player may register with the gaming system by using the communication device to access the Internet using for example, a conventional password system. Once registration is complete, the player employs the communication device 12 to request games as described above.

[0037] When the communication device 12 is a mobile phone 12 b and a wireless voice connection through mobile operator network 22 is employed, the game server 18 via the global computer network 14 may request additional information from the player to verify that the player is authorized to play the game such as through the third party server 52 (i.e., mobile phone service provider). The mobile phone service provider can automatically charge the player such as through toll call charges, premium service charges and the like in a typical manner when a game transaction is made and then confirm verification for the game server 18 to authorize the player to play.

[0038] The present system may operate as a stand alone system or may be integrated with an existing game played through a different operating system. By way of example, a national or state sponsored lottery game may be conducted by enabling players to purchase lottery tickets embodying a lottery game at a conventional retail store authorized by the lottery sponsor. As shown in FIG. 1, the player may initiate game transactions through the retailer game machines 12 d in a similar manner. Payment for game transactions can be made directly with the retailer on the premises. The present invention can be used for the same lottery game by enabling players with a suitable communication device to purchase and pay for the lottery games as described above by interfacing with the game server 18 through the global computer network 14.

[0039] The forgoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying claims, that various changes, modifications, and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game system comprising: a) a portable communication device programmed for interfacing with a game server via a global computer network to enable a player to remotely obtain and pay for games provided by the game server; b) a game server operatively in communication with the portable communication device through the global computer network to verify that the player is an authorized player and to provide the game to the player once payment has been made; and c) a global computer network enabling the communication device to access the game server.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of an interactive voice response device, a mobile phone, a computer laptop, a tablet computer and a personal digital assistant.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game server further comprises a verification unit for verifying the player as an authorized player.
 4. The gaming system of claim 3 further comprising a third party server programmed for confirming verification and authorization for the player to obtain and pay for the games.
 5. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein the third party server is administered by a communication device service provider.
 6. The gaming system of claim 5 wherein the communication device is a mobile phone.
 7. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein the communication device service provider is a service provider for the mobile phone.
 8. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising means to enable the communication device to engage the global computer network to perform at least one function necessary for the player to receive the game.
 9. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the global computer network is the Internet.
 10. The gaming system of claim 1 further comprising a bank server in communication with the game server via a bank network for enabling payment for games purchased by the player.
 11. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the communication device is a retailer game machine connected to the game server via a retailer network. 